Untitled Valentine (Wreath with Rope Tie) c. 1850

This delicate valentine, made by Joseph Mansell, presents us with a fascinating array of symbols embedded in its lace and paper. The wreath, a circle of flowers, traditionally represents eternity and the cyclical nature of life and love, a motif echoed across cultures from ancient Greece to Renaissance paintings. Notice how the ribbons tied in a bow appear at the bottom, a gesture of binding and connection, harkening back to ancient Roman betrothal knots. This simple bow, seemingly innocuous, carries within it centuries of emotional weight. This image is an echo of ancient rituals symbolizing a lovers’ bond, a contract. The recurrence of these motifs speaks to a deep, subconscious desire for connection and enduring affection. These symbols are not static; they evolve, resurface, and are reinterpreted in different contexts. The language of love, it seems, is eternally in flux, yet eternally familiar.